Manchester’s favourite ‘queer party for all’ Homobloc has this afternoon revealed the line-up for its hotly-anticipated 2022 day festival.
Returning to Depot Mayfield to ‘reunite the clans once again’, the all-day, all-night block party will take place this Autumn on Saturday 5 November – bringing some of its longstanding DJ favourites back to the decks once again, alongside a selection of exciting newcomers from 2pm to 4am.
Characterised by its eclectic mix of artists and performers, the by-now legendary Manchester party is gearing up to present what organisers have described as “one of the greatest coalitions of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Image: Jody Hartley
Image: Jody Hartley
Image: Jody Hartley
With a special Bollox presents Homosquat takeover at iconic Manchester music venue the Star & Garter, plus next level production and performances across Mayfield stagess Depot, Concourse and Archive, there’s no question this will be a sell-out event.
With headline sets from Róisín Murphy, Honey Dijon, The Blessed Madonna and Self Esteem, plus more from HAAi, Job Jobse, Horse Meat Disco, Saoirse, it’s set to be a packed-out party stretching across 14 hedonistic hours.
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Further sets will come from the likes of I.Jordan, Meme Gold, Little Gay Brother, Roi Perez, Tama Sumo, Absolute, Lakuti, DJ Holographic, Kiwi, Luke Solomon and Hannah Holland, not to mention the likes of Homoelectric resident favourites Gina Breeze, DJ Paulette, Jamie Bull and more.
Homobloc will also continue supporting its many charity partners and the work that they do to make the world a better place for the community, including the LGBT FOundation, The Proud Trust, George House Trust and Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Community Fund.
Between them, these charities offer advice, support and information to the wider community, help to support people through youth groups, peer support and mentor programs, inspire people living with HIV to live healthy, confident lives and distribute small grants to LGBTQ+ and HIV grassroots good causes.
Carl Austin-Behan, former Lord Mayor of Manchester, and LGBTQ+ Advisor to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Homobloc is such an important date for many people as it brings the community together all under one roof – from dancing and performing, to fundraising.
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Image: Jody Hartley
“It is amazing to see the team get behind these charity partners and continue to support their vital works for the LGBTQ+ community in Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Rod Connolly from Homobloc, added: “We are excited to announce a powerful Homobloc festival programme that unites the biggest International and homegrown LGBTQ+ artists, with a clear spotlight on the wonderfully diverse nightlife community that Manchester is World famous for.
“Following a challenging year for LGBTQ+ rights, the time is now for everyone to come together, step into the light and recharge the city’s vibrant queer energy once more.”
Tickets will go live for pre-sale this week on Thursday 21 July at 10am, with general sale available from Friday 22 July at the same time via the Homobloc website.
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The full line up, as it has been announced so far, can be seen below with more artists still to be revealed over the coming months.
Image: Jody Hartley
The full 2022 Homobloc line up:
Róisín Murphy | Honey Dijon | The Blessed Madonna | Self Esteem
HAAi | Job Jobse | Horse Meat Disco | Saoirse
Jennifer Cardini b2b Krystal Klear | Moxie b2b Shanti Celeste
I.Jordan | Little Gay Brother | Roi Perez | Tama Sumo
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Absolute | Lakuti | DJ Holographic | Kiwi | Luke Solomon
Amy Douglas presents Hard Feelings | Hannah Holland
Grace Sands | DJ Paulette | Joshua James | Jamie Bull
Mix-Stress | Black Betty | Kim Lana | Guy Williams | Lukas
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Bollox presents Homosquat: Queer House Party | Grove
Kath McDermott | Supernature | Club Zindigi
DJ Claud Cunningham (Black Angel) | The Niallist | Queer Latifah
Gut Level | What She Said | Philippa Jarman | Tokky Horror | Fat Camp
Eat Me | Fatty Acid | What Do I Tell My Friends | Limp
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Allsorts | Alexa Allana | Anna Phylactic | Ashraf | Banksie | Brandy X Mandella | Cece Sinclair Cheddar Gorgeous | Cleo Panther | Club Clam | Creature’s of Catharsis Archive Takeover
Cute Cartel | Cretina | Danni Spooner | Dak Attack | Dave Tester | Donna The Domme
Finn Love | Fuck Pigs | Ghetto Fabulous ft DJ KL | Hotline | House Of Apex | House of Blaque House of Kendoll | Jordan Roberts | Joshua Hubbard & Friends | Liv Wynter | Lucinda B.Hind
Meme Gold | Miss Chief | Miss Daubs | Mister Molly | Mx Romeo De La Cruz | Nadiva
Natasha Moonshine | Night People | NoirGayze | Prinx Silver | Sinz Dynasty | Soft Yoni
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Strutty Bitch | Sue Veneers | Taboo | The Cavalcade | YDSA | Yung Reenie
Feature image – Supplied
News
The richest people in the North West have been revealed, featuring Harry Styles, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Gallaghers
Daisy Jackson
The Sunday Times Rich List has been published today, revealing the wealthiest person in the North West to be Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The annual list highlights the richest people in the UK, often filled with famous faces and business moguls.
This year, the 350 individuals on the list hold a combined wealth of £783.5 billion – that’s about a quarter of the UK’s total annual GDP.
The Sunday Times Rich List also highlighted other North West figures, such as Harry Styles, the Issa brothers, and Tyson Fury.
Other famous faces from elsewhere in the UK include Sir Elton John, Lord Lloyd-Webber, Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, JK Rowling, Charlotte Tilbury and Sir Lewis Hamilton.
It found that Sir Jim Ratcliffe – chemicals magnate, Ineos CEO, and Manchester United shareholder – still tops the list regionally despite falling revenues and a £515.7 million loss.
Mohsin and Zuber Issa are fourth on the list of the wealthiest in the North West – the Blackburn billionaire brothers founded the EG Group petrol stations, and acquired the supermarket giant Asda.
Betfred brothers Fred and Peter Done come next, with an estimated net wealth of £3.6bn.
Property developer and Renaker founder (Renaker is behind the Deansgate Square towers) Daren Whitaker saw his wealth grow by £100m in a single year.
Elsewhere on the list are Liam and Noel Gallagher, making their Sunday Times Rich List debut at £375 million.
Michael and George Heaton, the British brothers behind the Represent streetwear brand, paid themselves minimum wage for a decade before selling a stake and making £18.5m each.
Robert Watts, compiler of the Sunday Times Rich List, said: “This year’s Rich List is a tale of two exoduses. One in six of the individuals and families who appeared on the list two years ago don’t feature this time.
“Many foreign billionaires who have been living in the UK have also dropped out because they have moved away. We have also seen a sharp rise in the number of British nationals now resident in Dubai, Switzerland and Monaco. As UK nationals these people remain on our Rich List — wherever they now live.
“These two exoduses pose challenges for the UK economy and its public finances. Will more of the wealthy now set up or grow their ventures overseas and in doing so create fewer jobs here? How much tax — if any — will Rachel Reeves’s Treasury be able to extract from those affluent Brits who have now left the country?
“For nearly 40 years the Sunday Times Rich List has analysed the fortunes of Britain’s most affluent people. We believe understanding where wealth lies and where it is being accumulated is a vital part of a functioning democracy.
“Over the years our research has told us a lot about our country, charting the way a generation of largely self-made entrepreneurs overtook the old money of the landed gentry.
“This year’s edition shines a light on fortunes made from artificial intelligence, driverless cars and crypto-currencies as well as baby milk, make-up, hoodies and other everyday items. We know many of our readers find those rags-to-riches stories of entrepreneurs who started out with little more than a laptop and an idea particularly inspiring.”
Man jailed for 10 years after raping ‘extremely vulnerable’ woman in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
A man has been jailed after being found guilty of raping an ‘extremely vulnerable’ woman multiple times in Manchester city centre.
Benjamin Wilson, of Norwood Avenue in Chesterfield, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison after being found guilty of offences committed in Manchester city centre back in June 2022, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed.
The victim – who was described as being ‘extremely vulnerable and intoxicated’ – plucked up the courage to go on a night out with friends in Manchester, however she became separated from them and was later subjected to a serious sexual assault, which was linked to a suspected drink spiking.
During the evening, the victim – whose identity has been withheld – and her friend believed their drinks had been tampered with, and she later found herself alone, heavily intoxicated, and extremely vulnerable, before she came into contact with Wilson near a takeaway.
Wilson took advantage of the situation, guiding her into a taxi before repeatedly raping her at a flat in Manchester.
The following morning, he dropped her near the hotel where she had been due to stay with her friend, and she proceeded to report the incident to police shortly afterwards.
A man has been jailed for 10 years after raping an ‘extremely vulnerable’ woman in Manchester city centre / Credit: GMP
From the outset, investigators said they faced ‘significant challenges’ – including limited early forensic opportunities and issues securing CCTV footage, all while needing to prioritise the victim’s wellbeing.
Hundreds of hours of work went into analysing witness accounts, financial and phone data, intelligence checks, and overcoming cross-force barriers leading to Wilson’s arrest in Derbyshire.
“The case was ultimately built through meticulous investigation, persistence, and, crucially, the strength and courage of the victim’s testimony,” GMP said.
Speaking following Wilson’s sentencing this week, DC Phillip Sargeant, of GMP’s Longsight CID, commented: “I am awestruck not only by the courage of the victim in coming forward, but also by her patience and resilience in waiting for justice.
Georgina Pellant -
20th July 2022 
